We are backpacking gourmands, as you may have already guessed. This
day's breakfast was pancakes with hot real maple syrup, made from
reconstituted maple sugar. Pancakes are a temperamental meal to prepare
under the best of cooking conditions, and these were definitely not
optimal. Our MSR white gas stove (thank you again, Kevin and Darci)
works astonishingly well, but with only a thin layer of stainless steel over
it, it is problematic to cook pancakes without burning. Jody was fully
up to this task, holding the pan about 2 inches from the flame, and we dined like kings. The photo below is
especially for Carl, Jody's dad, who will fully appreciate the delicacy of
this operation, and the resulting relish with which we ate the results.

We reluctantly left our cozy little camp, and departed for our next
destination, Eagle Creek, about 6.2 miles away, most of it level walking.
The threatening rain had not yet materialized, but we could feel it in the air,
and walked with our pack covers on and our ponchos at hand.

The rain did come as we walked, gently. We covered up and continued
on. The day was cool enough that the added plastic barrier did not
significantly heat us up, nor wet us from the inside as it typical when working
hard underneath non-breathing materials. We saw not a soul the entire day.
On this leg of our walk we had over 16 wet creek crossings, every few hundred
yards. We opted this time to keep our shoes on and just walk through the
creeks, soaking our shoes and socks. This had the benefit of protecting
and supporting our feet, but the disadvantage of making our shoes and feet gooey
messes.
As we neared Eagle Creek, the rain had stopped temporarily. One of our
last fords was over an enormous footlog spanning the entire crossing.
Below the three of us made use of the timed exposure feature of the camera to
capture this image. You very nearly were treated to only a picture of my
backside as I scurried over the ladies; I had turned around and smiled just as
the picture was taken.

Eagle Creek was a bit disappointing. It was not nearly as lush as Sugar
Fork, but at least it was empty. We found a quiet and somewhat sheltered
back corner of the camp. The skies were really dark now, and the air
heavy, so we hurried to set up camp before it hit hard. As much of our
clothing and gear were now wet, we hung a clothes line over the sputtering fire
to get things as dry as possible prior to the next days walk.

Our camp backed up to this small lovely brook, which sang to us the entire
time we were there.

That night's repast was scalloped potatoes (re-hydrated), fresh green beans
with onion and balsamic vinegar, and another half cup of wine -- another feast.
May 2 - Lost Cove and the AT